You may tell them that I’m coming.
What will the Christian do when his lamp burns out?
Go shouting home to heaven.
It is found also in OSH 388. Negro adoptions under the same tide are Dett, p. 81, and Slave Songs, p. 125. For additional stanzas of the text see ‘[Old Ship of Zion (A)]’. The Sacred Harp (1844) version of the text begins:
Come tell me of your ship and what is her name?
Oh, tell me happy sailor.
Come tell me of your captain and what is his fame?
Oh, tell me happy sailor.
She’s the old ship of Zion, hallelu, hallelu,
And her captain, Judah’s Lion, hallelujah.